Expert Guide: Importing Dogs to Bogota in 2026

Moving to another country with a pet is a logistical challenge that requires flawless compliance with legal formalities. Colombia, as a country with a highly developed agricultural sector, strictly monitors the biological safety of its borders. Therefore, importing dogs to Bogota is regulated not only by general customs rules but also by the specific requirements of the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA). In this article, we will detail how to organize importing dogs to Bogota while avoiding quarantine and fines.

Legal Framework and Regulators

Before initiating the process of importing dogs to Bogota, it is essential to understand who sets the “rules of the game.” The primary regulator is the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA). It is the ICA inspectors who will meet you at El Dorado International Airport. Without their approval, the legal importing dogs to Bogota is impossible.

In 2026, requirements for the international transport of animals have become more digitized. Now, importing dogs to Bogota is inextricably linked to the SISPAP electronic system, where the owner is required to register their pet’s visit even before departure.

1. Identification and Microchipping

Any importing dogs to Bogota begins with the installation of a microchip. This is a basic security requirement.

Standard: The chip must comply with ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 standards.
Chronology: It is crucial that microchipping is performed before the administration of the rabies vaccine. If the documents show a microchipping date later than the vaccination date, importing dogs to Bogota will be deemed illegitimate, and the animal may be sent for re-vaccination under quarantine conditions.

2. Veterinary Requirements and Vaccination

To legally carry out importing dogs to Bogota, your pet must have an “immune shield” confirmed by an international passport.

Rabies Vaccination

This is the cornerstone of all regulations. For the successful completion of the procedure known as importing dogs to Bogota, the vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before arrival. Colombia recognizes vaccines valid for 1, 2, or 3 years, provided the expiration date has not passed at the time of crossing the border.

Other Mandatory Vaccinations

When planning for importing dogs to Bogota, ensure the passport contains records of protection against:

Distemper;
Hepatitis;
Leptospirosis (specifically L. canicola and L. icterohaemorrhagiae strains);
Parvovirus.

Parasite Treatment

10–30 days before importing dogs to Bogota begins, the animal must be treated for ecto- and endoparasites. The veterinary certificate must clearly state the date, the name of the product, and its dosage.

3. Registration in the SISPAP System

One of the main complexities hidden within importing dogs to Bogota is working with the Colombian government portal. The owner must:

Create an account on the ICA website (SISPAP section).
File an import application for the animal.
Pay the inspection fee (approximately 150,000 pesos).

Without the payment receipt and the SISPAP application number, the physical importing dogs to Bogota at El Dorado Airport will turn into a bureaucratic nightmare. It is recommended to save screenshots and PDF confirmations of all transactions.

4. International Veterinary Health Certificate

Precisely 10 days before departure, you must obtain an official health certificate. For importing dogs to Bogota from the USA, this is the USDA-endorsed APHIS Form 7001; from the UK, it is the Export Health Certificate (EHC).

The certificate must confirm:

That the dog shows no signs of infectious diseases;
That there are no open wounds or injuries (or that they have healed);
That no outbreaks of dangerous animal diseases have been recorded in the region of departure within the last 60 days.

5. Arrival Procedures at El Dorado Airport (BOG)

Once you finish importing dogs to Bogota and exit the plane, you need to locate the ICA office. It is situated in the International Arrivals area (Llegadas Internacionales), near the baggage claim.

The process at the ICA office:

You present the dog for a visual inspection.
The inspector reads the microchip and verifies it against the documents.
Original certificates and the SISPAP receipt are checked.
You are issued the Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS).

Only after receiving the CIS is the importing dogs to Bogota officially considered complete. This document is vital: if you decide to travel with your dog within Colombia or export them back, the CIS will be your proof of legal entry.

6. Prohibited Breeds and High-Altitude Risks

When performing importing dogs to Bogota, keep two important restrictions in mind:

Breeds: Colombia prohibits the entry of certain breeds: Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and their crosses. If your dog phenotypically resembles these breeds, importing dogs to Bogota may result in the confiscation of the animal.
Altitude: Bogota is located at an altitude of 2,640 meters. For flat-faced dogs (brachycephalic breeds), this can be life-threatening due to hypoxia. Many airlines prohibit their transport in the cargo hold; therefore, importing dogs to Bogota in such cases is only possible in the cabin or via specialized cargo flight.

Official Sources for Reference:

For those planning importing dogs to Bogota, it is critical to use primary sources:

Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) — Actual import regulations.
SISPAP Login — Registration for import applications.
El Dorado Airport Official Website — Veterinary control point locations.

Conclusion

In summary, importing dogs to Bogota is a process that requires the precision of a surgeon. Any typo in a microchip number or a vaccination expired by a single day can derail your plans. Start preparing 3–4 months in advance, carefully study the ICA website, and importing dogs to Bogota will become a mere formality on your way to a new life in the heart of the Andes.